Aerial

Aerial dance is a unique fitness exercise and an artistic form of self-expression. It is an exciting new genre for the dancer who wishes to expand their range. Aerial dance incorporates the use of hanging equipment, also called aerial apparatuses.

Aerial silks (tissu, ribbon), aerial hoop (lyra, cerceau), and aerial hammock (sling) are a few of the more popular apparatuses. It is a rewarding art form that builds a high degree of strength, power, flexibility, courage, and grace.

Aerial dance shares a fundamental movement vocabulary with circus arts, where high-flying acrobatic feats are used to amaze audiences. Cirque du Soleil popularized the concept of aerial arts as a dance form and theatrical expression rather than a purely gymnastic movement art. It has continued to evolve and is receiving national recognition as a fitness program. It is an exciting time for this new aerial style, because it is gaining popularity yet it continues to explode with new developments. Aerial dance training used to be limited to Olympic level gymnasts and circus performers, but now it is being offered to the public as a dance and fitness program.

Aerial students should wear long sleeves and full or capri length pants to prevent fabric burn and excess bruising. All body jewelry must be removed for aerial dance, including hand jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Proper attire without zippers, velcro, or grommets will be required in order to handle the studio's fabric.